Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Ways to Keep Your Home Cool This Summer

For more than 20 years, customers
have trusted HomeTeam Inspection Service for their home needs, including
comprehensive inspections, energy audits, pre-sale inspections, storm
inspections, and mold and water testing. Additionally, HomeTeam also provides
home owners with tips for protecting their home – and their investment.

Here are several
environmentally-friendly tips home owners can use to keep their homes cool,
while cutting down the electricity bill:

Invest in fans and ceiling fans. Fans give you the opportunity to raise your
thermostat setting while allowing you to save on air-conditioning costs.

Close shades, blinds and drapes facing the sun. By closing your blinds (east-facing windows in the
morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon), you’ll be able to keep
heat out and cool air in.

Close unused vents. There’s
no need in cooling dead space, so close vents that aren’t being used. This
will allow more air to flow from opened vents.

Be aware of internal heat. Lighting, appliances and electronic devices are some
of the most common sources of internal heat within your home. Make sure to
turn them off when not in use and keep them away from your thermostat, as
heat will cause the air conditioner to run for
longer periods of time.

Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units. A unit operating in the shade uses less power.

There’s no reason to make your summer even hotter, so use these environmentally-friendly
alternatives to cool your home more efficiently. For more tips or to find out
what HomeTeamInspection Service can do for you, visit www.hometeaminspection.com.